Cigarette flavoring means



Oct. 26, 1943. s. B. sHAPlRo 2,333,049

YC IGARETTE FLAVORING MEANS Filed Dec. l5, 1939 l En? .I

Y in venfor g a g tJ//r/Iey gfa Patented Oct. 26, `1943 l f T,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIGARETTE FLAVORING MEANS Samuel B. Shapiro, Mattapan, Mass. Application December 15, 1939, Serial No. 309,384

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a means for treating or avoring cigarettes after the cigarette has been made.

It is quite customary in the manufacture of cigarettes to produce a particular flavor by flavoring the tobacco before the cigarette is made. Most cigarette tobacco in standard brands of commercial cigarettes 'are usually put through a special process to produce in the finished cigarette the exact flavor desired and while the flavors of many cigarettes do not vary one from the other to a great extent, nevertheless, many smokers are able to detect and differentiate between the various cigarette blends and usually have a preference of one brand over another.

The present invention does not relate to the production of the distinctive cigarette flavors, but rather to the addition of other flavors of a known tobacco type, such as that obtained by the use of menthol, cubeb, clove and various essential and avoring oils and perfumes, a long list of which may, if desired be set forth.

In the present invention, these flavors are injected into the cigarette any time before being usedand for that purpose the special device described in the annexed specification provides a specially useful function in the preparation of the cigarette. The device or article may be carried by the smoker in his pockets or in any suitable mannerso that just before smoking the cigarette may be impregnated.

, The present invention may be carried out through a number of different constructions, the embodiment of some of which are illustrated in the drawing attached, in which:

Figure 1 shows one form of the invention in section with the two parts thereof separated from each other.

Figures. 2, 3, 3a, 4 and 5 show modifications of the invention set forth in Figure 1. l

Figure 6 shows a detail of an element of Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows in section a further detail of a modification of the element illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a still further modification of the invention illustrating a, portion of the device in section.

Figure 9 shows a portion of the device of Figure 8 in full view, and,

Figure 10 shows a section on the line Ill-l0 of Figure 9, and Figure 11a and Figure 11b show fragmentary sections of a modification of the device.

In Figure 1' a cigarette is shown at l, placed (Cl. ISI- 133) in a` cylindrical casing 2 a little larger than the cigarette so as to hold the cigarette reasonably secure in a fixed position. At the closed end of the casing there is provided a chamber 3 in which may be insertedmeans 4 for impregnating the cigarette with the desired flavor. This chamber 3 on the forward end is blocked off from the cigarette holder by a wall 5 in which there is a central passage 6 having a radially extending recess 1, the purpose of which will be explained later.

The outer end of the casing 2 is threaded on the outside at 8 as indicated in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1 the cigarette normally extends somewhat beyond the end of the case. The case 2 at the end has a smaller diameter than the opposite portion of the case 9 into which the case 2 fits for impregnating the cigarette. At the `center of the case 9 there is provided a needle I0 mounted securely at the back end II of the casing 9. The interior of the casing 9 is threaded 'adjacent the end Il as indicated at I2 t0 receive the external threads 8 on the casing 2. When the two casings are telescoped together, the needle I9 passes through the center of the cigarette. Thereafter when the casing 2 is pulled away from the casing 9, the cigarette may remain in the casing S and may be extracted therefrom by placing the fingers at the curved cut out portion I3 of the casing 9. When the cigarette is removed from the casing 9 it will be fully impregnated by the charge which the needle carried. After the cigarette has been removed, the casing 2 may again be inserted in the casing 9 and the two parts securely fastened together by means of the threaded ends 8 and l2 so that the impregnating elements if volatile, will be sealed and prevented from escaping. In this position the needle initially becomes charged when the tip I4, which may or may not have a wick of cotton or other kind of absorbent fibre or material, passes through the passage 6 into the impregnating means 4. If a menthol essence is used, or other volatile essence that is characterized by crystallization along the surfaces which come in contact with the air, the block 5 is provided with a recess 'I to prevent such crystallization from creeping up beyond this recess. The container having the impregnating element 4 in Figure 1, may be renewed when desired by removing the end I5 from the casing 2 which may be threaded to the casing as indicated in the ligure or tightly fitting thereto.

The form illustrated in Figure 2 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 1, except that the container may have embossed spots 2| extending around the circumference separating the reservoir in which the impregnating fluid or compound is contained from the rest of the casing.

The reservoir, as indicated in Figure 2, may

comprise a cartridge 22 having an open end in Figure 3 shows a further modication which the casing is provided with one or more internal at springs 3|, 3|, adapted to ,hold thecigaf,

rette in place and prevent it from being pulledA out with the needle 32 after it has pierced the center of the. cigarette. A reservoir 33 for the impregnating compound `may be. placed at the end ofi the casing 30 away from; the. chamber in which theA cigarette 34 is-held. Thisreservoir which may be in the form of a cartridgesomewhat similar to that shown in Figure 2 is positioned against a collar `35 having. a central pcassage 3G from which -extendsa circular sharp ended flange 31 adapted to pierce the end. of the cen.k tral portion` of the cigarette Vand prevent the needle from coming in contact withthis endof the cigarette asA the needle -32V is forced. through the cigarette and intothe cartridge or reservoir of the impregnating compound.

In the arrangement showndn Figure 3, the needle passes through the center of thecigarette and entersthrough the collar 31 and the passage 35 into the impregnating compound. The end cap or casing 38,is then drawn out, the cigarette 34 being held in place by means of the spring 3|, 3|, so that when the casing 3 8 is finally removed, the cigarette still remains within the casing 3|. The cigarette may then be removed` from the chamber 30.

When the cigarette 34 is in position in the chamber 30,.the needle as the two casings are collapsed together, enters the reservoir 33 but not so 'fully vas it does when the cigarette is removed. When the cigarette is removed from the casing the, threads 40 on the inside of the casing 38 meshes with the threads 4|` on the cap 42 cover-v ving the cartridge or reservoir 33. In Vthisway a tight seal is made when the device is not in use, thus preventing the volatile gases from escaping from the reservoir. If desired the Cover 42 may be provided with apshoulder 4 2 with a gasket4 I" sealed toits face against whichn the edge of the casing 38 will press when screwed in position,V

thereby making a better air seal between the 'two casings.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, there are provided two elements 43 and 44, cylindrical in4 shape and workingl in one another in a manner somewhat different from that shown in the preceding figures. has a needle centrally positioned' and Supported from the endv45 ofthe Chamber 43. The chamber 4,4 carries its closed end41 on the same side as the end 46 of the chamber 43', the needle 45 passing therefore through the end 41 ofthe cylindrical casing 44. At the closed end of the casing44 there isv provided the impregnating c artridge 41" in reservoir 41" which is separated from the chamber 4,8 holding the cigarette 4,9 by the wall element' 5|)A which visprovided, with a The cylinder or Chamber 43 l ing beyond the walls of the casing El).

' the end 14 of the chamber.

'from the pipe E8 into the chamber 64 forces the perforation 5| through which lthe yneedle 45 is positioned to pass. The cylinders 44 and 43 are permanently held together by the key 52 working in the key-way 53 which may be closed at the top and may therefore consist of a. groove on the inside of the casing 43 or which may be a slot in the casing in which the key 52 rides. In this modication, when the device is not in use, it is collapsed and the open end 54 where the cigarette isr inserted, closed by a cap '55. When the device is to be used, the cylinder 44 is extended outward from the cylinder 43. The cigarette is then inserted in the tube 44 and a finger placed on the end and the two tubes telescoped together. Duringv thism'process, the needle 45 passes through the impregnating chamber 41 through the opening 5| in the wall 5|] and through the center of theA cigarette. The tubes are then telescoped out from each other during which process the needle is rwithdrawn from the cigarette and enters the impregnating chamber. The cigarette may then be withdrawn frornthe chamber 48 and the device again collapsed and the cap closed.. By partially telescoping the tubes together with the cap l 55 open, the cigarette 49 will stay fixed on the needle and therefore begin to extend beyond the casing 44 so that in this operation asthetubes are telescoped together, the 'cigarette is easily removed from lthe casing 44.

` In the modification indicated in Figure 5, there are provided two casings, one fitting within the other, the external case @Q tting over the internal case 6|. The case or cylinder 60 is provided with an end plate 52 having a ange 63 project- At the rear of. the plate 62 there is provided a chamber 64` in which a liquid or semi volatile substance 65 iscontained. The chamber E4 hasl an end EB which works as a piston of a pump within the cylinder 61.l A small pipe 68 extends through the end |56 of the chamber and permits the air within the cylinder 61 to be forced through the 'pipe 68 when the hole B49., at the end of the cylinder 31 is covered and the piston 55 is moving towards The air pressure liquid orvolatile gas through the pipe 1| which is an extension of the needle 12 within the cyl-` inder 63. A small aspirator hole 13 is provided in the hollow needle 12 so that as the liquid or Vfluid is forced through the needle, airmixes with it. The chamber 64 is sealed by the plate 62 at the end of the cylinder 60. The plate 62 and the chamber 64, are all held together as a single piece. As therefore the plate 62 is drawn towards the end plate 10 of the cylinder 61, the` spray or liquid comes through the end opening 14 at the end of the needle. Y

In the operation of the device, the operator removes the cylinder 6|, places the cigarette therein, and then inserts the cylinder 6| kin the cylinder 6|), forcing the needle 12 through the cigarette. The operator then grips the cylinder at the openings 16, one of which is o n either side of the cylinder 6|, and with the other hand Vdraws together the plate 62 towards, the spring 11 within the cylinder B1. For this purpose theY thumb may be placed over the opening 63, and the second and third fingers used to draw backwards the plate 62, as the cylinder 60. is withdrawn from the cylinder 6 |.V During this motion the needle passes through the cigarette impregn-ating it during this passage.

In Figure the needle of Figure 5 is illusr trated in enlarged forni. This comprises a. tube y through a slot 90 in the disc 9|.

18 having a hollow center 19 communicating at the end to an opening 80 adjacent the tip 8| of the needle. A wick of ber or other mateial may be inserted in the length of the needle as indicated at 82 of Figure l and a portion of this wick 83 may extend from the end of the needle. The needle may Well take other forms and may have a tuft or collar or be shaped like a spoon at or near the pointed end or away from the needle point suilciently so that the needle will easily pierce through the tobacco of the cigarette. If desired the needle may be used simply with a reservoir 84 at its end in which a Wick 85 may be inserted to conduct the fluid down the length of the needle. A further form of the invention is shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.

In Figure 8 one half of the device is indicated. This half may be used with the arrangement such as shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3. In this case the cylinder 86 which is capped by .a cap 81 vat the end has a helical springl 88 positioned at the inside end of the cylinder. The needle 89 extends through the center of the spring and This disc 9| may be attached to the end of the spring 88 and is freely moveable back and forth in the cylinder 86. When the cylinder described in Figure 8 is used together with the unit in the left portion? of Figure 2, the cigarette 92 is forced over .the needle and open end of 20 (see Figure 2) comes against the plate 9| compressing the spring 88. After the needle has been forced through the cigarette, the cigarette is released and the plate 9| through the actionof the spring forces the cigarette back and outward through the end of the cylinder. The needle has of course already been impregnated by its contact with the uid or liquid cartridge in the con-` vided a projecting pin or bar |05 which is positioned on the cylinder 96 in such a manner that it may engage the slot |03. By turning then, the cylinder |02, the pin |05 may be brought to rest in the recess |04. In this position the end of the needle 89 rests just in iront of `the valve head and does not open the valve in this position. When the pin |05 is disengaged from the recess |04 and is forced towardsrthe back end of the slot |03, `the point of the needle pushes the valve 98 to the left as shown in Figure 1l and thereby impregnates the end of the needle. As the two cylinders are then drawn apart the needle passesV through the cigarette andl imparts to it the ilavor in the manner as previously `described. When the pin |05 engages in the recess |04, the open end of the cylinder 96 forces the disc 9| inward thereby tensioning the pin |05 against the shoulder of the recess |04` and locking the two cylinders together.

Having now described my invention I claim:

1. A portable device for lavoring cigarettes,v

comprising a cylinder having a avoring reservoir contained at one end thereof, vand having length and diameter dimensions adapted to hold securely said cigarette, a container of a size to t over said cylinder and having centrally located therein in its longitudinal axis, an impregnating needle, said needle being of a sufficient length to enter into said reservoir vwhen the cylinder and container are telescoped together.

2. A portable device for avoring cigarettes,

i comprising two cylindrical chambers, the smalltainer 20 when that is inserted withinthe casing 86, or if a form such as shown in Figure 3 is used, the needle as it passes through the end i may have a projecting bar 94 extending through the slot. The disc 95 may be pushed in by pushing on the bar 94 as the cigarette is put in the` end of the cylinder, and the cigarette may be pushed upward by pushing the bar in the other directioni.

In Figure 11 the cylinder 96 in which the cigarette is initially placed has an end chamber 91 which is closed by the valve 98. Any type of valve may be used as for instance a conical valve as indicatedin the :ligure in which the valve head is held against the seat by a spring 99. The chamber 91 may contain the avoring fluid or material. The end of the chamber is sealed by the cap |00 which may be removed to rell the er tting and sliding in the larger, the larger of said cylinders having a needle mounted at an end of said larger cylinder and extending longitudinally therethrough in theaxis ofthe cylinder, the smaller of said cylinders having a reservoir at one end through which the needle passes, a wall partitioning said smaller cylinder f into the reservoir and a chamber for holding the` of the cigarette will pass into the chamber 33 Y chamber with` the flavoring fluid. The cylinder ing 90 for the needle 89. In the cylinder |02,

there is provided a slot |03 which has an oil'- set recess |04. In the cylinder 96 there is procigarette, said Wall having a central opening therein and said needle passing through said wall as said cylinders are telescoped together.

3. A portable device for flavoring cigarettes, comprising two cylindrical chambers, the smaller tting and sliding in the larger, the larger of said cylinders having a needle mounted at an end of said larger cylinder and extendingy lon-` gitudinally therethrough in the axis of the cylinder, the smaller of said cylinders having a reservoir at one end `through which `the needle'` passes, a wall partitioning said smaller cylinder` into the `reservoir and a chamber for holding the cigarette, said wall having a central opening therein and said needle passing through said wall as said cylinders `are telescoped together, said smaller cylinder having a cap at the end thereof closing over the cigarette contained in said smaller cylinder.

4. A portable means for avoring cigarettes comprising two telescoping cylindrical chambers one fitting into the other, the larger having a needle centrally located therein and approximately the length of the cigarette to Vbe avored, said smaller cylinder containing the cigarette and having an end section containing a avoring cartridge from which the end of the needle picks up the flavor with which the cigarette is impregnated.

SAMUEL B. SHAPIRO. 

